I’m a sucker for some stylish arm candy and adore what Always Fits is offering with these cool cuffs. Made from brass patina, they come with gorgeous “fake aged” designs that cater to my love for retro, think Alice in Wonderland, vintage cameras, zodiac signs..

The metal is adjustable so can fit any wrist and I like how distinctive they are, something very unique to have on your arm!

Browsing Amazon can be entertainment in itself and when I stumbled across Curlipops I thought I’d found something ridiculous and novelty-like, a throwback to the eighties where crimping was big and everyone wanted a Molly Ringwald bouffant. But it seems I was mistaken, going by the rave reviews anyhow, some as recent as 2014, espousing the wonderful curling qualities of this funky looking dryer.

“Never thought the blow dryer made a big difference….always thought it was the styling products…guess again,this will be the only blow dryer i will ever use or buy again…. awesome for curly hair.” – Autumn

“Curly girls, you’re hair will love this. Gives my curls volume without frizz. My hair dries quicker this this dryer, but it is not super hot. The shape of it allows you to shape your air while you dry it. If you have curly hair, get this now! I do wish it had some sort of attachment that was similar to a concentrator so I could blow dry parts of my hair out. “- Kate

This is pretty strong positive opinion. The dryer is intended to be used as a diffuser/combo and looks like it works best on people who already have curls and want to show them to max advantage. Added bonus is ionic technology and cool shot mode. Just goes to show, don’t judge by appearances…

I’m a big fan of jewelry, as it’s a great way to dress up a dull outfit, and is just generally a sparkly addition to any style. I was excited when I was approached by Jewel Street to try something from their store, as they seemed to offer a really cool selection of items. When I investigated more, I found that they are actually a boutique that stocks 300+ designers, most of whom seem independent. They have many lovely items, and you can narrow your search field by style, color and price-point. Its’s kinda like a high end Etsy, unique items carefully curated, with a quality promise.

After some insane amount of deliberation ( I like so many things here!) I decided to try a pendant from a brand called Martick Jewellery, called the “Bunny and the Tree of Life Pendant.” I liked the delicate silver filigree style, and the gold bunny accent was adorable.

A few days later my package arrived. The lilac box was a nice complement for the necklace and ave it a definite feeling of quality. I also really like how one side is silver and the other silver and gold, so I can change the necklace to suit my clothes. The chain was a great length, letting the pendant rest an inch or so below my collarbone – I hate it when they dangle too far and you have to adjust it. I was also surprised by the little beads on the chain. I wasn’t sure at first, but after wearing it, I liked how this made it stand out a little, and it’s so delicate it doesn’t affect my style.

Ive already had numerous compliments about this necklace — and am getting t=used to the “nice tree” holler. Sometimes people try and discuss the tree – “is it oak?” and “what does it stand for” and then I blush and go, “errrrrm, I like trees.” Life, huh? #firstworldproblems

My one complaint is that it’s so delicate it’s hard to get a good shot of me wearing it.

You know I’m a sucker for rings, and add a little quirk to them and you get an essay glamorizing polar bear fingers and growling cheetah faces. What can I say – these are so striking, that you have to enjoy them. Again and again and again. These rings are called “CLing rings” and are apparently spelled like that AND a thing in Japan. Well, you know Japan, right?

The animal kingdom is represented with everything from chipmunk to tiger and pig. Yes, a porky pie, Miss Piggy-less porcine can be on your hands. The red squirrel also gets adorable points, well most of this really does. I could see wearing just one for shock value, or layering them for an all round zoo-licious time on your fingers.

I had to share these jewish nail decals from “midrash manicures” as they made me smile. Spotted at NY Now, a big home design show in New York, these nails take a religious twist on the traditional decals. Here you can opt for the ten plagues — on ten fingers, right?? — or go all patriotic (depending on your heritage) with the Israeli nails. And yes, obviously it has a Star of David. Can’t confirm if there is a picture of chicken soup or latkes though.

Winter has not been kind to my skin. Not so much the horrible rain and wind that bite away at my face and leave my nose resembling Rudolph, but more that terrible dryness, that makes me wake thinking my throat has closed up, with my nails all raggedy and my skin parched.
The Hydrationist describes itself as “maximum moisture cream” and when Chemist Direct sent me one, I leapt upon it like a woman finding an oasis. Though I hoped this would not be a deception and I’d actually regain feeling in my extremities again.

The packaging is lovely – hey, it’ Lauder, and the cream itself has a white, thick consistency and smoothes on like a cold cream. It’s quite heavy, which I liked, as it felt very nourishing to my parched skin and though it took a little while to absorb, applied between teeth-brushing and dressing gave it enough time to sink in. At night I like to wear it slightly thicker so it can soothe me while I sleep.

Great for day and night, the formula doesn’t feel super heavy on the skin and it’s non greasy, so no breakouts, yay! Overall, I think this is a good staple for winter and for any time you’re feeling extra parched.

It started with the idea that I might go all out for a recent video games convention, and then – dispirited after looking at the effort that people put into their outfits – and omg, the cost of real anime wigs—I thought maybe a low key look was in order. These dragon claws are awesome. I’d seen pictures online and though up-close they might be tacky, but actually they were so much more.

Available in a few color ways, I’d opted for silver – classic, and might be good if I ever go Danerys on something. They came in a cute silver box, nestled in soft cotton and are the most beautiful things ever.

I thought- mistakenly- I’d be getting a set of 10, and was a little surprised by only 5, but after wearing, I’m starting to think, how the hell would I operate anything with 10, as they do make your hand un-fuctional. The nails sheaths are made of delicate metal that’s flexible and sized for your fingers. To wear you place them over the fingertip and gently close the metal around to hold it in place.

I think I’m in love! Plus, they’re rather sharp, so I’m not only awesome to look at – I’m actually dangerous. Watch out!

I know, I know, I should be kinder to my hair, but I just can’t stay away from that bleach bottle. My hairdresser tries her best, but in between salon visits, straw is a fair comparison for my hairs texture. On a bid to get rid of that oh so prevalent crispy feeling I’ve been trialing hair treatments. This Joico Color Endure Treatment Masque was provided to me my Chemist Direct and I’m here to document my experience.

First off, it’s a thick white conditioning cream that smooth’s nicely onto the hair, making it feel weighted and heavy, like slugs of silk down my back in the shower. It washes off easily and my hair has that nice conditioned feel to it, but the big test – what would it feel like when dry.

I’d say it achieved that. My hair was bouncy but not fried and I like d that my blonde didn’t get muted with washing. It’s not the softest thing ever, but considering how I abuse it, I’m pretty happy. So long Herbal Essences.. I think this is a new staple.

Jewelery is wonderful. Pretty, shiny objects that you can use to adorn yourself, statements of your personality, your expression and the hopes of what you’d like to achieve. Or, if that’s too high-faluting for you, pretty baubles that draw attention. But jewelry doesn’t travel super well, it gets knotted and frustrating and can lead to hours with vaseline and a needle (this works, but soooo time consuming).

I recently came across Pop Out Jewelry and was blown away by its style and its sass; what a cool way to transport jewelry, and also make people feel involved in their items, as they have to physically pop them open! You purchase a slim piece of metal, press out your item and then transform in into a wearable using the clasps or ear hooks provided.

These are the works of Melissa Borrell Design, and it’s not just unique- it’s quality as well, as the pieces are available in different types of material, including Gold plate, sterling silver and 18k silver as well as stainless steel. Price wise, it’s good for budgets as her delicate leaf pendant is $39 and it’s $48 for her Ribbon Earrings.

I think these are beautiful, striking and very unusual so a win all round.

]]>0addictedtobeautyhttp://www.addictedtobeauty.co.uk/?p=84392015-01-16T16:51:56Z2015-01-16T16:51:56Z
Try and take your dirty mind away from the number 69, and instead replace my lovely blog in that spot.

Rebates Zone collected and collated a whole lot of beauty and style blogs and rated them based on Alexa rankings, Twitter and Facebook accounts and ranked my blog in 69th place. Honored to be on the list which includes some of my favorite blogs out there, and in this busy world nice to know that my penchant for pretty things — and strange things — is being noted and appreciated.

Yes, I’m not a fool, and I know this list was created partly for promotional purposes, a.k.a you scratch my back, I scratch yours. But still, even with that proviso, the names on the list; A Beautiful Mess, British Beauty Blogger; these are blogs I admire and enjoy.. and who make me feel guilty that I’m a semi-sporadic blogger with a lazy streak and medium photo editing skills.

Blogging has changed a lot over the years, first it was all about being “first”, having exclusives and great access. Then it was about amazing photography, lovely layouts and a voice that made you go gooey inside. There are the YouTube bloggers whose skills far surpass my own, and the haters who call me out when I mess up my eyeliner or try to teach something I don’t excel at. But whatever. The world is big and people gravitate to what they like, what resonates for them and what they enjoy.

Things I like: New, quirky products that make me laugh. Pretty, amazing collections that I want to buy, store and never use.. hoarder style. The occasional mind blowing product that does everything it promises and more. And lots in-between. Beauty blogs have an honesty, a rawness, a “I don’t care what you want, this is what I LIKE SO LIVE WITH IT feel.” That’s why I go to them.

Once $20 for makeup seemed crazy.. now it’s less crazy but it’s still not exactly free. And I hate waste. So maybe I’ll review the just OK stuff to, just to give you an idea of whether it works for you. The main thing is, people blog as they enjoy it. It’s fun. There are pretty things and thoughts we want to share.

Hopefully you like reading this.. If not I wish you well, and no trolling please.